CHAPTER X
South of Sulu
The _Swift Arrow_ rounded the western end of Jolo and headed southtoward the Tapul islands. On the south side of the group was the islandof Siasi where Zircon planned to top off the fuel tanks and check inwith the constabulary again.
The four set up watches, two to a watch, four hours at a stretch. Theysettled down to a long search. At Siasi they would be at the center ofthe Sulu Archipelago, and would leave the Sulu Sea behind and enter theCelebes Sea. The sun blazed down from nearly overhead at noon until thecaulking in the deck bubbled and the sea seemed to steam. They were lessthan six degrees above the Equator now.
Vintas dotted the waters close to the islands, but they were apparentlypeaceful Samal fishermen. There was no sign of a pirate fleet.
"I doubt that the pirates will bother us in these waters," Zirconremarked. "Too close to islands with civilization on them. We can lookfor trouble in the more open waters to the south."
"They bothered us close to Zamboanga," Rick pointed out.
"True. However, I suspect it was simply a quick try at getting us beforewe were well under way. I'm rather flattered, as a matter of fact. Ofcourse they know what we're after. It was in the Manila papers. But theymust realize we won't quit until we find Tony and Howard, and they mustbe afraid we'll succeed. Otherwise, why attack us?"
Rick saw the sense of Zircon's reasoning. "Then this mysterious islandmay not be hard to find, at least for anyone who's really determined."
"That's my guess. Anyway, I think we may be attacked when weaccidentally start toward their base. And it will be an accident, sincewe have no clues."
At Siasi the constabulary had no further information of value, exceptthat the government was showing deep interest and concern about thepirates. The searchers topped off the fuel and water tanks, and anchoredfor the night in the protected harbor. At dawn they hauled anchor androunded Siasi.
Zircon laid a course that took them south-south-west toward theKinapusan Islands and cautioned all hands to be on the alert. By noonthey had crossed Taapan Passage.
Chahda and Rick were in the galley, cooking hamburgers for lunch. Chahdawas explaining the technique of using the Moro blades.
"Must remember, knife is not just a thing. Is part of your arm. Issharp part that just makes arm longer. You no swing knife. You swingarm, like trying to cut with end of finger. Okay?"
"I get it," Rick agreed. "Don't think of the knife as somethingseparate. Think of it as part of your own body."
"Yes," Chahda assented. "Next, balancing of knife is important. If isgood, is like part of you. If is bad, can never be part of you. Moroknives well-balanced. You see..."
Chahda never got a chance to finish.
"All hands on deck! Pirates!" Scotty yelled.
"_All hands on deck! Pirates!_"]
Rick and Chahda piled out of the galley at top speed, Rick grabbingShannon's quiver from its hook as he passed. He quickly put the bowtogether and strung it, then swung the quiver to his back as he reachedthe deck.
Ahead was a line of vintas, already curving in an arc to trap them. Rickglanced behind and saw that other Moro craft were closing in. They wouldbe surrounded this time, unless they chose to give up their pretense ofa crippled engine.
"Chahda!" Scotty called. "Take the wheel so I can use my rifle."
The Hindu boy checked to be sure his knives were at hand, then took overfrom Scotty, who laid out extra clips and got ready to fire.
Zircon had extra clips for his pistol close at hand. He was watching thevintas through the long glass.
Rick put on his arm guard and finger protectors. Since the vintas werestill out of bowshot he took a moment to beeswax his string. Then hetook a small broadhead arrow from the quiver, nocked it, and drew a fewtimes to unlimber his muscles, being careful not to let the string snapout of his fingers.
"What now?" he asked.
"We'll go straight ahead," Zircon answered. "Chahda, use nearly fullspeed on one engine. Have the second engine idling, but don't use itunless we get into serious trouble. Notice that the vintas ahead of usare running before the wind? If we can get through the line we'll havethe weather gauge of them. In other words, they'll have to tack with thewind against them. We'll be able to get free easily on one engine."
Scotty pointed to a gap between a vinta with a solid purple sail and onewith blue-and-white stripes. "There's a hole to go through, Chahda."
Rick saw that the vintas ahead were closing in. The Moro craft would betwo deep by the time the MTB reached them. He loosened his quiver andmade sure the arrows were free. He might have to shoot pretty fast.
His senses were unnaturally alert. The water was bluer than blue and thesmall patches of fair-weather clouds seemed brilliantly white. The sailson the Moro craft were gaudy, their crews properly fierce andpicturesque. He was detached from the reality of the scene, as thoughthis were some movie he was watching.
Zircon brought him back to reality with a jolt. "Pick off the helmsmenfirst!"
Rick could hear yells now, as the Moros saw that the _Swift Arrow_ wasalmost within reach. He ran to the foredeck and knelt on one knee, arrownocked and ready. Scotty climbed to the top of the pilothouse and layprone, rifle thrust out.
The pirate yells were louder now, and some Moros brandished barongs orkrises while others waved rifles. Rick suppressed a shudder. If thepirates got on board with those knives ...
The pirate fleet opened fire. A slug whined off a ventilator cowl a footfrom Rick's head, but he forced himself to wait. It was still a littlefar for bow shooting. It was not too far for Scotty, however. Rick heardthe sharp crack of his pal's rifle, and saw a Moro helmsman slump overin the nearest vinta. The craft sheered off. Another Moro jumped to takethe helmsman's place and Scotty's second shot splintered the rudderhandle in his hands.
A vinta closed to within twenty yards, an easy bowshot. Rick mentallytimed the rise and fall of the craft on the swell. Then, as it broachedslightly, he had a clear shot at the helmsman. Kneeling, he drew swiftlyand loosed. The shaft caught the Moro in the hollow of the shoulder andpinned him back against the stern transom.
Rick reached for another arrow in the smooth rhythm Shannon had taughthim, but the rhythm was abruptly shattered by a sudden blast almost inhis ear! He whirled swiftly to meet the new threat, just in time to seeZircon open the breech of the saluting cannon and extract a smokingshell.
For an instant Rick wondered if the scientist had taken leave of hissenses. He saw Zircon ram home a blank cartridge and close the breech.
Then, suddenly, the action made sense to Rick. For Zircon upended thecannon muzzle and poured in a box of tacks!
The scientist depressed the muzzle, sighted calmly, and pulled thelanyard. A swath of tacks spewed into the bow of the nearest vintabringing a chorus of pirate yells. The craft swerved away.
Shouting with delight at the scientist's ingenuity, Rick jumped toZircon's side. Working together, they fired box after box of tacks, andsaw the vintas slowly clear the way.
The Moros could face cold steel or hot lead without a qualm, but thefierce, stinging tacks were too much, and too unexpected. They failed topress the attack at the crucial moment and the _Swift Arrow_ slippedthrough the line.
As Zircon had predicted, one engine gave them enough speed to get clear,once the Moros had lost the advantage of a favorable wind. Scotty fireda few more shots at the vintas within range, then dropped to the deck.The fight was over.
The four gathered in the pilothouse and the three boys stared at Zirconwith mixed admiration and amusement.
"It's nothing," the big physicist said modestly. "You see, in mylifetime I have been an avid reader. At one time, while at theuniversity, I read of some round-the-world traveler using tacks in asignal gun. So I disclaim originality."
"My 'Worrold Alm-in-ack' not saying about this," Chahda said, grinning."Is pretty lucky you have good memory for other books, Professor!"
Rick looked back at the vintas, rapidly falling
astern. The pirates werewell beyond gunshot now. "Victory at Sea," he proclaimed. "Thanks to theprofessor's college education!"